Archive for the ‘vermont fall vacations’ Category

This collaboration provides personalized all-inclusive vacations with comfortable accommodations, fine cuisine and experienced guides to lead you on an unparalleled Vermont hiking and kayaking vacation. click her to view the press release.

Book your Vermont Summer or Fall Hiking & Kayaking! Even though its winter, reservation are coming in for ATA’s Hiking & Kayaking Vacation. For information call 1-888-855-8655 or check out www.AppalachianTrailAdventures.com

Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA) is excited to announce a new partnership with the North Star Inn & Resort, which has been a Killington landmark for over 30 years. Known for their friendly staff, it’s the perfect home base to explore all that Vermont has to offer. With all the cozy pleasures of a modern hotel, updated rooms that include air conditioning, mini-fridge and microwave, including suites with kitchens and Jacuzzi tubs.

Considered Killington’s classic four-season hotel, the North Star Inn & Resort is an ideal destination for your Vermont vacation. Located in the heart of Killington, the Inn is situated with views of Vermont’s second highest mountain and the surrounding Green Mountains. All guest rooms are recently updated and available with a variety of options from double rooms to king suites with a private bedroom, Jacuzzi bath, living room with sofa bed and a full kitchen.

The standard room have an option of either a king or two double beds, room amenities include private bath, air conditioning, mini fridge, microwave, wireless internet, hair dryer and Television with HBO and premium channels.

North Star Inn’s Queen Suite

The queen suite includes private queen bedroom, adjoining living room with a sofa bed and mini kitchen. Suites amenities include private bathroom, air conditioning, hair dryer, wireless internet, television with HBO and premium channels. Mini-kitchen includes sink, refrigerator, microwave, dish washer and two burner cook top.

North Star Inn’s King Suite

This king suite includes private king bedroom with a Jacuzzi tub, adjoining living room with a sofa bed and full kitchen. Suite amenities include private bath room, air conditioning, hair dryer, free wireless internet, television with HBO and premium channels. Full-kitchen includes refrigerator, four burner stove, microwave, sink and dish washer.

ATA’s affordable All-Inclusive Vacations offer customized hiking and kayaking adventures in a small group setting while exploring Vermont. Our guests include hikers who may not feel comfortable hitting the trails alone and those seeking an active or healthful vacation in a small group setting. With over 20 years of experience, we have handpicked the trails with the best scenic mountain vistas, waterfalls and historical features in Vermont’s Green Mountains. ATA specializes with customer satisfaction and has a perfect five star rating on TripAdvisor with over 180 positive star reviews.

The Hiking Vacation consists of accommodations with three daily meals; guided half or full day novice, intermediate or advanced hike. The half day hikes are followed by an afternoon with a variety of options such as: kayaking either on a lake or flat-water river trip, caving trips, an excursion to a local village or attraction. After a day of exploring, relax in the outdoor heated pool, sauna or massage room for those guests who wish massage therapy. In the evening, enjoy dining at either the O’Dwyer’s Public House or the Foundry Restaurant, known for their impeccable chef-driven cuisine.

ATA’s Peak Bagging Vacation is for those hikers who want the opportunity to hike Vermont’s 4,000-foot mountains, the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country. Those who summit all five of Vermont’s 4,000 footers, are awarded with a certificate of accomplishment. This accomplishment in the hiking community is referred to as peak bagging.

The Family & Friends Hiking Vacation offer discounted rates for families or groups that are required to participate in same morning & afternoon activity. I.E. Family members participate on the same hike, then after a picnic lunch the entire family participates kayaking. Some family member(s) cannot go caving or on an excursion while others go kayaking. Afternoon activities include a choice of hiking, kayaking, caving and excursions.

Come watch Vermont’s green peaks transform coloring the mountainsides with brilliant oranges, reds and yellows. There is still availability for prime foliage from October 1st-15th. We look forward to showing you a true Vermont adventure! For more information, please call John at 1-888-855-8655 or visit http://www.AppalachianTrailAdventures.com

PLEASE NOTE: The Family Hiking & Kayaking rates are for families or groups that are required to participate in same morning & afternoon activity. I.E. Family members participate on the same hike, then after a picnic lunch the entire family participates kayaking. Some family member(s) cannot go caving or on an excursion while others go kayaking. Afternoon activities include a choice of hiking, kayaking, caving and excursions.

Nightly rates are per person, including taxes and wait staff gratuity. The prices include accommodations with three daily meals; guided novice, intermediate, or advanced hike; and an afternoon of kayaking, caving, or an excursion. Massages ($75.00+), yoga classes ($30.00) and tennis lessons ($45-60.00) are available à la carte. For more information and answers to common questions, check out ATA’s Recommendation and FAQ webpage.

Room Options: The lodge has large family rooms with a combinations of bedding arrangements for three to six hikers;

Queen bed and two twin bunk beds with one bathroom that sleeps 3-6

Queen bed plus two twin beds with one bathroom that sleeps 3-4

Queen bed and twin bunk bed with one bathroom that sleeps 3-4

King bed, twin bed and twin bunk bed with one bathroom that sleeps 3-5

Our PEAK BAGGER VACATION is for those hikers who want the opportunity to hike Vermont’s 4,000 foot mountains, the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the country. Those who summit all five of Vermont’s 4,000 footers, are awarded with a certificate of accomplishment. This accomplishment in the hiking community is referred to as peak bagging.

Fast pace hiker’s we recommend 5 to 7 nights and for intermediate hikers who have a taste for adventure and want to summit Vermont’s 4,000 footers at their own pace, we recommend at least 7-10 nights. The rate for the Peak Bagger Vacation is an additional one-time charge of $250.00 per person for any length of stay on top of ATA’s Hiking Vacation rates.

Disclaimer: Due to weather, it might not be possible to summit all the peaks during your stay. Its most certain some summits will be socked in with zero visibility. Or we could luck out and have just blue bird days. We’ll keep records of which peaks you have climbed. On your next visit or visits, when you finish the 4,000 footers, we award you with a 4,000-footer certificate.

Please Note: The Peak Bagger Vacation is available anytime by special request, rates may vary.

We are currently taking reservations for the 2017 season, please call 1-888-855-8655 or email John for more information

This season is ATA’s 10-year anniversary providingpersonalized hiking vacation and excellence

Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA) offers a distinctive adventure vacation with guided daily hiking, kayaking, and caving in the Green Mountains of Vermont that targets families and individuals who are adventurers, families, and those seeking an active vacation, including hikers who do not feel comfortable hitting the trails alone. ATA provides an affordable all-inclusive hiking or fitness vacation giving a real Vermont outdoor adventure. That’s why it has the best hiking vacation at the lowest possible prices, starting at $242.00 per night, per person, including taxes and gratuities.

Unlike most spas, ATA’s owner John Keough is engaged daily with the guests, encouraging them on the trail and kayaking. ATA offers a variety of options to help customize one’s vacation. The most common is the Hiking Vacation that consists of an air-conditioned room with three daily spa meals, snacks, a guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike and an afternoon of kayaking, an excursion or caving. Massages, yoga classes and tennis lessons are available a la carte.

2017 Hiking Vacation Rates

Nightly rates are per person, including taxes and gratuity. The Hiking Vacation consists of an air conditioned room at the Summit Lodge with three daily meals; snacks; guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike; and an afternoon of kayaking, caving or an excursion. Massages ($75.00+), yoga classes ($30.00), tennis lessons ($70.00) are available a la carte.

Single

Occupancy

Double

Occupancy

1-2 NIGHTS

$285.00

$255.00

3-6 NIGHTS

$280.00

$251.00

7+ NIGHTS

$274.00

$242.00

Aeolus Update

At the recent veterinarian appointment Aeolus and I received some bad news, he has a stage 3 heart murmur. It was explained there are six stages to a heart murmur and how having one of his arteries partially blocked is causing his heart to work harder and getting larger. A symptom is coughing from a sound sleep or when lying down. Those positions make it hard for the heart to work. An ultra sound cost $500 that would show what’s going inside. However, we can’t afford it, electing to put him on medication that should allow a semi normal life.

Besides that, its dog park season and boy is Aeolus a social dog. Still at six years old he gets so excited seeing a dog or even human while driving in the car. He is absolutely going nuts when an old friend stops over, who hasn’t visited in a while. It was a warm spring day, thinking it was a good idea to bring him along when I went skiing. It was warm enough that he would be fine in the car but he got so excited thinking he was going for a hike. Jumping all over the car looking out every window, making all sorts of noises. This is one of his favorite hikes so I felt awful, but I didn’t think he would recognize things with the snow, boy was I wrong. I bet he’s waiting to get back at those porcupines that got him last season.

Aeolus is named after a cave where myself and a friend dug open a blocked passage discovering the largest cave in New England back in 2000. The cave is located just north of Manchester, VT and named after the mountain, Mount Aeolus.

Aeolus or Eolus (Greek: Aiolos [jjolos]), was the Custodian of the winds in Greek mythology. A minor deity, he is the son of a king called Hippotes, and lived on one of the rocky Lipara islands, close to Sicily. In the caves on this island were imprisoned the winds, and Aeolus, directed by the higher gods, let out these winds as soft breezes, gales, or whatever the higher gods wished. Being visited by the Greek hero Odysseus, Aeolus received him favorably, and on the hero’s departure presented Odysseus with a bag containing all the adverse winds, so that his friend might reach Ithaca with a fair wind. Odysseus did as Aeolus bid, but in sight of his homeland, having been untroubled by foul weather, he fell asleep and his men, curious, opened the bag, thus releasing all the fierce winds, which blew their ship far off course (Odyssey X, 2; Vigil I, 52). ate IT DepartmentCorporate IT Depa

The Summit Lodge

Long considered Killington’s classic four-season resort hotel, the Summit Lodge is an ideal destination for your Vermont vacation that is why ATA has chosen it for their home base. Located in the heart of Killington, the lodge is situated high on a private knoll with magnificent views of Vermont’s second highest mountain and the surrounding Green Mountains. With eleven acres and forty-five comfortable rooms, the facilities and grounds are extensive including an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi whirlpool, saunas, two tennis courts, massage therapy, two restaurants and bars, duck pond, game room, a bocci court, horseshoes and shuffleboard. A sit-down breakfast and a bag lunch are supplied by the Summit’s chef, while dinner is hikers choice to dine at either the Foundry Restaurant or the Summit Lodge.

The new owner of the Summit Lodge, Emmett O’Dwyer is making significant improvements after his recent purchase during the spring of 2017. He has spent a lot of time and money improving the business, changing the way the staff view management and the way the guests feel in the lodge. The staff feel secure in their jobs and a sense of pride with changes and updates.

It’s really refreshing to have someone show energy in their business venture and is willing to commit to improvements and enhancements to the Lodge. It is nice to see an owner who is present and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. It’s really enjoyable for the staff to feel respected and have an employer and manager who listen and care. The Summit’s executive Chef is just loving all his “new toys” with the entire kitchen being upgraded from the walk-in refrigerator all the way down to the toaster.

O’Dwyer has already invested a lot of time into the lodge itself. With the bones of the building up-to-date they have moved onto making improvements to the cosmetics inside and out by painting, adding new carpet, new furniture and updating guest’s rooms. Emmett has also implemented new procedures and has added new administrative software. Employees say working at the Summit Lodge is a home-like atmosphere. Having worked at other businesses in the industry before, they say there is no place like the Summit Lodge. We treat our guests like family.

Modifications from 2016 to 2017

A lot of the improvements are behind the scenes, such as the kitchen remodeling and upgraded wireless internet system

Some of the more major projects for 2017 will be converting the pools and whirlpool to saltwater.

O’Dwyer’s Poolside bar will be open 7 days a week and serving the full restaurant menu

O’Dwyer’s Public House Pub had a total make over with additions of a dart board and pool table

updating the restrooms and common areas

24-7 Front Desk coverage

Live entertainment and food/drink specials will be available throughout the summer

More outdoor events such as the Pig roast will be planned

The beds and mattresses have all been changed

Bathrobes are now supplied to all rooms

Photo booth installed

Improving the driveway and entranceway

New POS ordering system in place to make breakfast quicker and more precise

New credit card system taking pin cards to ensure security

By the summer, we will have new duvet’s in the rooms

High speed internet due to the installation of fiber optic link and the installation of a new data suite

New Flooring, furniture and a general tidy up in the large family room

New Poolside furniture

Remolding the massage room area

Repairs are being made to all of the slate around the pool and steps in order to make it safer

Some of the other projects which are on the card for 2017 but will be subject to time and budget at this time. More and more upgrades as the year goes on making sure the Summit Lodge will become one of the best places to stay in Vermont.

Emmett O’Dwyer, Summit Lodge Owner

The Foundry Restaurant

The Foundry Restaurant’s Executive Chef Sean Miller has created a delicious menu for ATA hikers who are seeking healthier meals. Located on the banks of the Summit Pond, The Foundry offers a distinct year-round dining experience. In addition to the ATA hikers’ menu, The Foundry offers two menu options: an American Bistro-Style menu in its formal dining room, as well as a more casual Tavern menu in the bar. Their impeccable chef-driven cuisine provides guests the finest cuts of prime meats, fresh seafood, homemade pastas and much more. They use the freshest ingredients to create mouthwatering appetizers, flavorful side dishes and irresistible desserts, designed to engage all of your senses. The Foundry experience focuses on providing un-paralleled hospitality in a warm and relaxing setting. In addition to its dining options, The Foundry offers live entertainment regularly and is host to many of the area’s events.

Try on lots of styles. Some brands run narrow (Asolo, Vasque, Tevas), others run wide (Keen), and others are true to width (Merrell). If you shop online, either order multiple pairs and return the ones that don’t fit or head to a physical store first and try them on in person.

Ask for a half size larger than normal. Even with your insoles, sock liners and hiking sock on, you still need about a finger’s width between your longest toe and the front of the boot. You’ll be thanking me on the downhills!

Walk DOWN a ramp or steps. Make sure that your toes aren’t hitting the front of the boot when you do this!

Walk UP a ramp or steps. When you’re headed up the steps, make sure that your heel is not lifting up. If it does you’ll end up with a nasty heel blister on the trail.

Jump up and down with the boots on. The weight of the boots is important.

The goal is to have the least amount of weight for the type of hiking, backpacking, or mountaineering you’ll be doing. For hikes on maintaining trails, there is no need to be wearing 2+ pound backpacking boots with stiff shanks. But for mountaineering, you’ll need a technical shoe that can handle the conditions you’ll be climbing and hiking in, so inevitably they’ll be heavy. Just remember, having boots that weigh 5 pounds is just like you gaining 5 pounds or throwing a dumbbell in your backpack… even though the weight is on your feet, you’re still carrying it up the hill!

Make sure the boots are suitable for your intended use. If you are planning to go on a backpacking trip, you’ll want a boot with a stiff shank (see below). If you hike in a rainy area, make sure your boots are waterproof and have Gore-Tex or eVent moisture blocking technology. If you’re going on local day hikes, you don’t need a heavy, stiff boot.

Try on shoes late in the day. Your feet are going to be tired, the least happy, and are actually larger than in the morning because they swell during the day.

Keep this in mind when shopping for any types of shoes. FIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. Style certainly won’t matter if your feet are covered in blisters and you can’t walk…

ATA’s DVD Recommendation: Southbounders

Southbounders: is a drama based around a very independent-minded young woman called Olivia who attempts a thru-hike. The story focuses on the trail but includes lots of flashbacks to Olivia’s past. The filmmakers worked on a very low budget, but it the movie looks great. The movie’s name comes from the fact that Olivia is hiking south, an unusual and far more difficult choice than hiking north.

Healthful Living Tips: 5 Healthy Living Tips for 2017

Happy 2017! I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday season and are ready for what the new year has in store. Now, as cliché as it may be, I love the feeling of the fresh start of each January. It provides the unique opportunity to reflect on past experiences and choices, and to set your intentions for the year ahead. Read on for five easy and healthy living tips that you can start today.

Healthy Living Tip #1—Eat Local: Blueberries. Avocados. Traffic. Oh, my! We all know eating fresh fruits and vegetables are a tasty way to live a healthier lifestyle, but did you know that produce loses nutritional value as soon as it is harvested? The further fruit and vegetables have to be transported, the greater the nutritional value is lost due to a chemical process that slowly deteriorates the nutritional peak of that piece of produce. To prevent this process, try to buy as much of your fruits and veggies locally, which have the shortest transport time from the tree, bush or fields to your kitchen.

Healthy Living Tip #2—Waste Less: We all experience it every week. The beautiful produce you purchased at the beginning of the week has spoiled and must be tossed into the trash. One easy way to keep food tasting fresh is to invest in a battery-operated resealing device that heat-seals items—whether it be a plastic pouch of produce or a loaf of bread—as if they were never opened. You can also keep your food fresher for longer by storing items in the VitaFresh™ drawers of your Bosch refrigerator. These refrigerators actually have a freshness system designed to store your produce at its optimal condition.

Healthy Living Tip #3—Compost: It probably comes as no surprise that I love composting! But, I know that for many the idea of taking up this earth-friendly habit can be overwhelming. However, it’s actually very simple! Find an old stock pot with a tight-fitting lid, and voilà – you’ve created a compost bin to house your various food scraps. Not only does compost reduce landfill waste, but it is also a great fertilizer for your garden. You know, it’s never too early to think about growing fruits and vegetables for a summer harvest.

Healthy Living Tip #4—Support Your Community: Helping others live a healthier 2017 is just as important as making healthy choices in your own daily life. When donating to your local food bank, think about things beyond the typical cans of beans, vegetables and dried pasta. As it turns out, food banks are often in need of things like spices (salt, pepper, chili powder and cinnamon and more) because so much of the donated food is unseasoned. Also, easy-to-make soup packets can help people make a complete meal with the addition of ingredients like beans, broth and vegetables. Helping those who live in your community is sure to bring a smile to your face throughout the new year!

Healthy Living Tip #5—Save Energy and Water in the Kitchen: Just as the kitchen is the center of your home, it also is the center of energy and water usage. A dishwasher is a great way to help you save water, energy, and money. According to ENERGY STAR, dishwashers are far more water and energy efficient than washing by hand, and, on average, they can help you save about $40 a year on your utility bill, 230 hours of time, and up to 5,000 gallons of water a year. If you are in the market for a new dishwasher, I would seriously consider an ENERGY STAR-rated Bosch dishwasher. What better way to clean up your kitchen and help protect the world around you?

Healthful Living Recipe: One Bowl Choclate Cake

This easy to make chocolate cake is dark, moist, rich and only dirties one bowl! Not quite as easy as boxed cake mixes, but those often contain trans fats. Our simple “from scratch” recipe gives you a home-baked cake with healthful canola oil and whole-wheat flour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with a circle of wax paper.

Whisk flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, brown sugar, egg, oil and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add hot coffee and beat to blend. (The batter will be quite thin.) Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake the cake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from the pan, peel off the wax paper and let cool completely. Dust the top with confectioners’ sugar before slicing.

Ingredient Note: Whole-wheat pastry flour, lower in protein than regular whole-wheat flour, has less gluten-forming potential, making it a better choice for tender baked goods. You can find it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Store in the freezer.

Tip: No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make “sour milk”: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.

“We would like to thank our partners the Summit Lodge and the Foundry restaurant for the successes that ATA has achieved in the past 10 years; it’s a true team effort, ” said John Keough, ATA Founder and guide. “Our partners’ success is, and will continue to be, our success. This milestone is a testament to ATA’s commitment to continued perfection, and to the future of the company, our partners, and the travel and fitness industries.”

Over the past 10 years, Appalachian Trail Adventures has built a reputation by introducing vacationers to some of Vermont’s best hiking trails, kayaking locations, caves, and local attractions. ATA guides really enjoy what they do and it shows; they treat every guest as family and friends, creating a friendly atmosphere. As further evidence of ATA’s success, TripAdvisor has awarded ATA with the certificate of excellence for the past three consecutive years. However, the real amazing fact is the 170 positive reviews on TripAdvisor’s with not one bad review!

As Appalachian Trail Adventures paves the way to the future, it pledges to provide the best affordable Vermont vacations while refining aspects of its programs to exceed our hikers’ needs and expectations. In addition, Appalachian Trail Adventures will continue to provide market-defining personalized vacations, one hiker at a time.

ATA is very excited for the upcoming 2017 hiking season. With a new owner of the Summit Lodge investing capital renovating the lodge, the place is looking great. There are many changes and updates some still to come which will be explained later in the newsletter. Some very exciting, such as Summit’s spa being renovated and a new restaurant serving dinner. This year hikers will have the option to dine at Summit Lodge or at the Foundry, Killington’s premier fine dining establishment.

ATA 2017 season runs from Memorial Day weekend on May 26th through Columbus Day weekend, closing on October 15th.

Appalachian Trail Adventures (ATA) offers a distinctive adventure vacation with guided daily hiking, kayaking, and caving in the Green Mountains of Vermont that targets families and individuals who are adventurers, families, and those seeking an active vacation, including hikers who do not feel comfortable hitting the trails alone.

ATA provides an affordable all-inclusive hiking or fitness vacation giving a real Vermont outdoor adventure. That’s why it has the best hiking vacation at the lowest possible prices, starting at $242.00 per night, per person, including taxes and gratuities. Unlike most spas, ATA’s owner John Keough is engaged daily with the guests, encouraging them on the trail and kayaking.

ATA offers a variety of options to help customize one’s vacation. The most common is the Hiking Vacation that consists of an air-conditioned room with three daily spa meals, snacks, a guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike and an afternoon of kayaking, an excursion or caving. Massages, yoga classes and tennis lessons are available a la carte.

_________________________________________________________________

2017 Hiking Vacation Rates

Nightly rates are per person, including taxes and gratuity. The Hiking Vacation consists of an air conditioned room at the Summit Lodge with three daily spa meals; snacks; guided novice, intermediate or advanced hike; and an afternoon of kayaking, caving or an excursion. Massages ($75.00+), yoga classes ($30.00), tennis lessons ($70.00) are available a la carte.

Single

Occupancy

Double

Occupancy

1-2 NIGHTS

$285.00

$255.00

3-6 NIGHTS

$280.00

$251.00

7+ NIGHTS

$274.00

$242.00

_________________________________________________________________

The Summit Lodge

Long considered Killington’s classic four-season resort hotel, the Summit Lodge is an ideal destination for your Vermont vacation that is why ATA has chosen it for their home base. Located in the heart of Killington, the lodge is situated high on a private knoll with magnificent views of Vermont’s second highest mountain and the surrounding Green Mountains. With eleven acres and forty-five comfortable rooms, the facilities and grounds are extensive including an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi whirlpool, saunas, three tennis courts, massage therapy, a library, two restaurants and bars, duck pond, game room, a bocci court, horseshoes and shuffleboard. A sit-down breakfast and a bag lunch are supplied by the Summits chef, while dinner is served at the Foundry Restaurant or the Summit Lodge, hikers choice.

The new owner of the Summit Lodge, Emmett O’Dwyer is making significant improvements after his recent purchase during the spring of 2017. He has spent a lot of time and money improving the business, changing the way the staff view management and the way the guests feel in the lodge. The staff feel secure in their jobs and a sense of pride with changes and updates.

It’s really refreshing to have someone show energy in their business venture and is willing to commit to improvements and enhancements to the Lodge. It is nice to see an owner who is present and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. It’s really enjoyable for the staff to feel respected and have an employer and manager who listen and care. The Summit’s executive Chef is just loving all his “new toys” with the entire kitchen being upgraded from the walk-in refrigerator all the way down to the toaster.

O’Dwyer has already invested a lot of time into the lodge itself. With the bones of the building up-to-date they have moved onto making improvements to the cosmetics inside and out by painting, adding new carpet, new furniture and updating guest’s rooms. Emmett has also implemented new procedures and has added new administrative software. Employees say working at the Summit Lodge is a home-like atmosphere. Having worked at other businesses in the industry before, they say there is no place like the Summit Lodge. We treat our guests like family.

Modifications from 2016 to 2017

A lot of the improvements are behind the scenes, such as the kitchen remodeling and upgraded wireless internet system

Some of the more major projects for 2017 will be converting the pools and whirlpool to saltwater.

O’Dwyer’s Poolside bar will be open 7 days a week and serving the full restaurant menu

O’Dwyer’s Public House Pub had a total make over with additions of a dart board and pool table

updating the restrooms and common areas

24-7 Front Desk coverage

Live entertainment and food/drink specials will be available throughout the summer

More outdoor events such as the Pig roast will be planned

The beds and mattresses have all been changed

Bathrobes are now supplied to all rooms

Photo booth installed

Improving the driveway and entranceway

New POS ordering system in place to make breakfast quicker and more precise

New credit card system taking pin cards to ensure security

By the summer, we will have new duvet’s in the rooms

High speed internet due to the installation of fiber optic link and the installation of a new data suite

New Flooring, furniture and a general tidy up in the large family room

New Poolside furniture

Remolding the massage room area

Repairs are being made to all of the slate around the pool and steps in order to make it safer

Some of the other projects which are on the card for 2017 but will be subject to time and budget at this time. More and more upgrades as the year goes on making sure the Summit Lodge will become one of the best places to stay in Vermont.

Emmett O’Dwyer, Summit Lodge Owner

_________________________________________________________________

The Foundry Restaurant

The Foundry Restaurant’s Executive Chef Sean Miller has created a delicious spa menu for ATA hikers who are seeking healthier meals. The menu is able to cater to special dietary restrictions such as vegan, low sugar, sodium-, wheat- and dairy-free options. This enables ATA to accommodate couples, athletes, weight loss vacationers, as well as all those with no dietary restrictions who seek to eat healthily.

Located on the banks of the Summit Pond, The Foundry offers a distinct year-round dining experience. In addition to the ATA hikers’ menu, The Foundry offers two menu options: an American Bistro-Style menu in its formal dining room, as well as a more casual Tavern menu in the bar. Their impeccable chef-driven cuisine provides guests the finest cuts of prime meats, fresh seafood, homemade pastas and much more. They use the freshest ingredients to create mouthwatering appetizers, flavorful side dishes and irresistible desserts, designed to engage all of your senses. The Foundry experience focuses on providing un-paralleled hospitality in a warm and relaxing setting. In addition to its dining options, The Foundry offers live entertainment regularly and is host to many of the area’s events.

This holiday season, may your life be filled with Love, Laughter and Good Luck. Happy Holidays from our home to yours,

The Appalachian Trail Adventures family

Tired of giving the same old gifts each holiday season and looking for an idea. Try a gift certificate for a Vermont hiking vacation, this will be one holiday gift they will remember for years to come.

We are currently taking reservation and offering gift certificates for the 2017 hiking season that begins on May 26th and runs through Columbus Day Weekend closing on October 15th, 2017. Please checkout ATA’s webpage for more information at www.appalachiantrailadventures.com or call John at 1-888-855-8655.